Caliber Spacers for .38SPL/.357 Mag and .40S&W/10mm

If you 1) only have one set of dies and reload 2 cartridges with them, and 2) use the clamping type of lock rings, then YES !

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My 38/357 RCBS dies came with the spacer, but I don't use it. My Hornady dies did not come with the spacer. I have a Hornady LnL press, and unscrewing the die to add or remove the spacer would eliminate the benefit of the quick change bushings. So I just got a second set of dies, one for 38spcl and one for 357mag. So for me definitely not worth it.

I just checked and I have three of the spacers. If you want them you can have them, just pm me your info and I'll send them to you.

chris
 
1KPerDay said:
Similar to @ballman6711 I got a separate set of dies for .38 Special so I didn't have to keep resetting everything when I swapped calibers.
Click to expand...

Yep! I've got two sets of Hornady 38/357 dies, and since I like to seat and crimp separately I bought a pair of RCBS crimp dies. Seems that somehow the two I bought was really three, hence the reason for three of the spacers.

chris
 
I typically use mine only in conjunction with the 38/357 expanding die. I seat and crimp in different steps, so I don't bother with it on the crimp/seat die.
 
.38 Special said:
I'm not a huge fan. The dies almost always have to be readjusted anyway, so the spacers just mean you can make a smaller adjustment. I use them when they come with the dies, but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to get some if they didn't.
Click to expand...
One of the two reasons most of us end up with two die sets, convenience being the other one.
 
I am in the 1 set of dies per cartridge boat..............
But I have a separate toolhead set up for each cartridge I load.........6 of which COULD share dies (but don't)...................40/10mm, 38/357, 44Spl/44Mag
 
I have a couple sets of dies with the spacers and just don't use them. To each his own, I just haven't seen the need.
 
I reloaded 357 Mag and 38 Special for decades using a spacer. I needed ways to economize at the expense if reloading covienently.

The sizer die did not need any adjustment, one setting worked for both 357 and 38 cases.

Case mouth expanding needed some changes. I found I could get acceptable results using the spacer. I found adjustments that worked for switching between cartridges.

Seating still needs some tweaking, but I find that is necessary anyway. The spacer helps making the adjustment change a small adjustment bs a large one.

Crimping is another matter. Figuring out trim lengths so that only using the spacer is a benefits. But, it can be done.

All that said, my financial situation has allowed me to buy a die set for each 357 Mag and 38 Special. I even have a set of dies for loading just 38 Wadcutters.

Benefits of reloading for approaching 40 years and reasonable success in the investment markets.
 
Soonerpesek said:
I agree on the separate dies, but I didn’t have to make lifelong investments to afford a $100 set of dies…….!!
Nor do I think anyone has to…
Click to expand...
Yes, the spacer allows one to economize on the cost of his dies. But, it is at the expense of time setting uo for a reloading session.

But not everyone is limited by cost and expenses.

It is a comparison of economize versus efficiencies versus the allowable budget. Each individual needs to access his/hers limitation in reloading expenses.

As I said to begin with, I reloaded 357 Mag/38 Special for a long time using one set of dies and a spacer. Fortunately, I'm in a position that I do not need to do that anymore. In part due to reloading for a long time and saving my pennies for future reloading gear. And in part to my financial fortunes being beneficial.

It is great that the reloading gear manufactures are willing to give us an option.

Do what floats your boat, I'll agree with you. But, I don't have to be as inefficient in cartridges changes on my presses as you.
 
I have one for my .38/.357 RCBS dies; If I can't remember what I was loading the last time I used them, I reset the dies. Since I haven't loaded for .357 for 30+ years, they stay set for .38 Spl. But back in the day, yes, they were handy.
 
I load .38 Special and use RCBS dies that also came with a spacer for .357 Mag. I haven't done any .357 yet, but plan to at some point. I just use a single stage press so, I'd be resetting the dies each time, so - if I'm resetting the dies for .357 is the spacer actually needed to do .357? Is the spacer actually needed for anything to do .357? I always assumed the spacer was just there so you could use the generic die directions to set it up as a starting point, but the dies should still work fine one way or another, no?
 
Theoretically, you should just be able to pop the spacer under the die and be good to go. As others have mentioned, it doesn't always work that way, and you may end up adjusting a little bit anyway.
 
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I've got die sets that have them, but I don't bother. As @.38 Special said, dies almost always need a little adjustment, so the extra couple minutes isn't a big deal for me when I use those types of dies. Once set, I usually run a few hundred rounds thru a progressive per session.
 
I guess I must be the only one who uses the spacer and is happy with it. The only die that needs adjustment when I switch from .38 spl to .357 mag is just the bullet seater stem, but that's due to using different bullets, not the spacer ring.

Maybe my RCBS spacer ring is different than the ones others are using? I dunno.
 
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